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Q. My wife and I want to relocate from Houston, Texas to
Denver, Colorado. Ideally, we would line up a new job in
Denver before we leave Houston. I've found employers are
reluctant to interview people from out of state, but we
don't have the luxury of jetting to Colorado over and over
again for job interviews.
A. You've got the right idea: get the job lined up first.
But if you're determined to move, go for it. Just create
your safety net first.
1. Identify potential employers in Denver who can use your
skills. Call or write - but not to ask for a job. Say
something like, "We will be relocating to Denver for family
reasons. I'll be making an exploratory trip in mid-November.
Would it be possible to schedule an informational meeting?
I am not asking for a position at this time, just seeking
advice on how to prepare for the move." Obviously, you'll
create a more effective opening, but that's the general
idea.
2. Create a contingency plan. Can you free lance for your
current employer? Can you start a simple business, such as
pet sitting? Will you be able to live at least a year if a
job doesn't materialize right away? Be honest about your own
limits.
3. Begin networking as soon as you arrive, if not before.
One client called me after she moved to a small southeastern
city. She had just relocated and she needed a job. She
volunteered for every organization, from symphony to food
bank. She had a managerial level job within eight weeks.
4. Answer ads for specific jobs by offering a date when
you'll be visiting and when you'll be moving. You won't
always get the interview, but as you get closer to your move
date, options will increase - if there's demand for your
skills.
5. Flexibility combined with persistence and networking will
almost always yield results.
Here where I live, we have almost no jobs. But I've met
determined people who began freelancing and working in
restaurants or coffee shops. They eventually found "real"
jobs that paid the bills. Some opened their own service
businesses, everything from pet-sitting and house cleaning
to small business consulting.
And I've met others who (like me) run their own ebusiness,
independent of the local economy.
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Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and
career/business consultant, helping midlife
professionals take their First Steps to a Second
Career.
http://www.cathygoodwin.com"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change"
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